NHS Trusts in Hampshire, Plymouth, and Liverpool face unprecedented pressures from a rise in respiratory illnesses.
A significant rise in flu and other respiratory illnesses has prompted multiple hospitals in England to declare critical incidents. The surge in cases, particularly during the winter months, has put immense pressure on healthcare facilities.
Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust announced a critical incident at both Basingstoke and Winchester Hospitals, citing “sustained pressures” caused by the high volume of patients. Julie Dawes, Chief Nurse for Hampshire Hospitals, explained that this winter has seen an unusually high number of flu cases, with many patients suffering from severe respiratory issues.
The situation is equally dire at University Hospitals Plymouth, where Derriford Hospital declared a critical incident after over 300 people visited the emergency department on Monday. Nearly 200 of these patients required inpatient care, with many elderly individuals facing exacerbated respiratory problems due to cold weather conditions.
Royal Liverpool Hospital also declared a critical incident due to “exceptionally high demand,” as patients requiring emergency care overwhelmed the facility. Reports indicated that patients at the hospital’s emergency department were waiting up to 50 hours for care. A spokesperson for University Hospitals of Liverpool Group stated that the rise in flu and respiratory illnesses, combined with the overwhelming number of patients, led to this urgent action to ensure patient safety.
Several other NHS trusts have reported similar pressures, with emergency departments across the country urging patients to attend only if they have life-threatening conditions. Royal Devon Trust warned that their hospitals are exceptionally busy and advised people to seek emergency care only in critical situations.
In regions affected by ongoing floods, such as United Lincolnshire Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, the public was encouraged to avoid unnecessary travel and attend emergency departments only for life-threatening emergencies.
The surge in flu cases is part of a broader “quad-demic” situation, with increasing cases of flu, Covid-19, norovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) compounding the strain on healthcare services. Nurses had previously expressed concerns about the lack of available beds in the NHS, with many feeling “desperately worried” as the winter season continues.
In late November, an average of 1,099 flu patients were in hospital beds daily across England, including 39 in critical care—significantly higher than the previous year, which saw only 243 flu patients at the same time.
